After the big decisions, what's next for Keith Curle's Carlisle Utd squad?

Six offered deals, many of which we already knew. Three released, none of whom had been in first-team favour.

Only when you looked beneath the surface did you realise this could still be a summer of significant change in the Carlisle United squad.

Not the double-figure influx we've seen in the past, perhaps. But there will still be considerable gaps to fill.

Each position, in fact, leaves at least a degree of doubt, if not an outright void, as Keith Curle moves to the next stage of his summer work.

GOALKEEPER

Right now United have none on the books for next season, if you discount Morgan Bacon, the youth keeper offered a "development contract".

Mark Gillespie, the club's longest-serving player and last season's league ever-present, is out of contract, while understudy Max Crocombe has been released.

At the very least it leaves the Blues in search of back-up. Should Gillespie also depart they will need new first and second-choices with the gloves.

Gillespie's future will intrigue. Having come through the club's youth ranks, he has overcome past seasons of injuries firmly to become United's No1.

There is, among supporters, a debate about exactly how good the 25-year-old is and can be. In 2016/17 he had some poor days but also some excellent ones.

Curle, for his part, believes the former Newcastle trainee has shown "consistency, dependability and reliability" and clearly wants him to remain.

It will now depend on whether Gillespie is content to accept Carlisle's contract offer or test the water elsewhere. At times in recent seasons there have been hints of interest from higher divisions without anything firm developing.

Before United's play-off semi-finals, he stressed how much he "loved the club" but also, asked about his future, said: "The club and myself will have to see where we end up, in terms of how the play-offs go. It's obvious for both sides to let the dust settle."

If that was a hint at keeping options open, it may mean United will be kept waiting for a final decision. The Blues, who have been linked with a loan move for Brentford's Jack Bonham, will at the very least need a contingency plan.

DEFENCE

The most scrutinised area of Carlisle's team in 2016/17 is, on the face of it, only slightly affected by Monday evening's decisions.

Macaulay Gillesphey returned to parent club Newcastle, and out-of-favour Cumbrian Patrick Brough was released.

Otherwise, those at the rear of Curle's team either remain under contract or subject to an offer (Michael Raynes).

Some fans had wondered whether United's boss would have sought to make a more radical overhaul. Of his other centre-halves, Mark Ellis spent half the season on loan at Forest Green while Shaun Brisley did not make the squad for the play-offs.

Having earlier hinted at looking to move on players still under contract, Curle has opted against transfer-listing players such as these.

On the surface, the possibility of a fresh start is there. Then again, there is no guarantee that all of Monday's decisions will stay hard and fast until the new campaign begins in August. Nor does it necessarily deter outside interest.

Forest Green are believed to remain open-minded regarding Ellis, who helped them to promotion. As things stand, though, he will report back for pre-season, along with the others still on the books: Danny Grainger, Tom Miller and Gary Liddle.

Should Raynes agree to stay it would limit the further additions Curle could make in this area, though Carlisle's defensive record would surely make this are ripe for at least some meaningful attention. Another left-sided option is also probably needed, in the absence of Gillesphey and Brough.

Alex McQueen's release, before the end of the campaign, might also leave Curle seeking another full-back.

MIDFIELD

There are decisions to be made by several players here, and Curle will hope that Jason Kennedy, James Bailey and Samir Nabi commit to the deals they have just been offered.

Kennedy in particular remains a major player at Brunton Park; one of last season's top scorers and as admirable a professional as the Blues have.

It would be a blow if the 30-year-old was lured elsewhere, although he does seem happy at Carlisle and happy working under Curle.

Bailey, the former Derby player who joined in February after a spell in India, did not necessarily set the world alight in many of his 14 games, which included a regrettable red card against Cambridge.

But there were signs, towards the end of the season, of the quality Curle feels convinced the 28-year-old can bring to the table. He looked a more controlling and at times creative presence in midfield against Exeter and a further period of bedding-in, plus a pre-season, could bring the best out of Bailey.

Nabi is a wilder card, a "project" according to Curle, who has been offered terms despite making just out sub outing at Yeovil last season.

An attacking midfielder who has long been in United's sights, the former West Brom player could be an intriguing squad player if he signs up for 2017/18 and makes the most of pre-season.

Otherwise, United will go with what they had. An injury-free Mike Jones would be as good as a new signing when the new campaign comes around, while player of the year Nicky Adams made little secret of how happy he is at the club.

Luke Joyce and Reggie Lambe have both triggered extensions, Jamie Devitt has another year on his deal, and while winger John O'Sullivan, who scored two dramatic play-off goals, also has 12 months left, he can look forward to his first pre-season at Brunton Park, having joined in January.

While Joe Ward left before the end of the campaign, he was a fringe addition at best, and only in the event of the current contract offers being rejected can you imagine major changes in this department of Curle's squad.

From the youth ranks, meanwhile, Jack Egan, Jordan Holt and Cameron Salkeld will all step up onto development deals.

ATTACK

Where will the goals come from for Carlisle in 2017/18? Curle believes the answer can partly be, again, Jabo Ibehre, having offered the popular veteran another deal.

Ibehre has scored 31 in two seasons with the Blues and United's boss clearly admires the 34-year-old's experience and strength.

Already on the books next season is Shaun Miller, while a decision on Junior Joachim has been deferred until he returns from family business in France, but otherwise there is a void, with Jamie Proctor and George Waring having returned to parent clubs and Ben Tomlinson released, James Hooper also departing slightly earlier.

If Ibehre turns United down, Carlisle will lack a physical presence in their attacking options. Whether Proctor would become available in light of Bolton's return to the Championship is another area on which Curle will no doubt keep tabs.

Known to be interested in a return for former loan man Hallam Hope, Curle plainly has targets in this area. Waring failed to score in his time with the Blues while Tomlinson, although popular in the dressing-room, made just one sub appearance. Earlier in the campaign, the gamble on Derek Asamoah for a second spell didn't work.

In other words, the hole left by Charlie Wyke in January still needs considerable filling, and Curle's work up front will be a very important part of his attempt to build a side fit for promotion.